No room at the inn for many of us this festive season

RESTAURANTS will reopen today after more than six weeks of being shuttered.

And you’ll be lucky to get a table if you haven’t already made your reservation, with restaurants reporting they’re already booked up until Christmas.

Under the new rules, there can be a maximum of six people at a table, but there is no limit on the number of households per table. The need for a substantial €9 meal to be served in pubs remains in place. Barry and Kate Donovan, who own Trieste Café and Wine Bar in Galway, said they have no availability left on any Friday or Sunday before Christmas. Mr Donovan said: ‘Once the announcement went out that the restrictions were being lifted, the phone didn’t stop hopping.’

Dublin restaurant Mr Fox’s online bookings filled up before owner Anthony Smith had announced it would be reopening. He said: ‘You get customers on the phone who are really excited to come back. ‘People are just happy to get back out.’ Aishling Moore of Cork restaurant Goldie said there is only space left on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as Fridays and Saturdays for the month are fully booked.

She said: ‘People are so happy to eat out and we’re just so happy to be cooking for people and taking care of people again.’

And in Donegal, La Bella Donna is almost fully booked through December. Owner Nabil Maziri said they didn’t have to make many changes from last time, but it is always a scramble to respond to the Government announcements. ‘It’s always too late when they come up with something.’